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Members of the Quartet (EU, US, UN, Russia) have agreed to hold a summit in November to review progress made since the Annapolis peace conference at the end of last year. Israeli and Palestinian leaders committed themselves at that meeting to work towards the establishment of a Palestinian state by the end of 2008. So far progress has been slow, with the Palestinian negotiating teams rejecting several Israeli proposals on the borders of a Palestinian state, and Israel pressing ahead with construction work in east Jerusalem. There have been several international gatherings since Annapolis to further the establishment of a Palestinian state. World powers gathered in Paris in December of last year to pledge money towards the funding the project, there was an economic investment conference in London in May, and there was a conference in Berlin last Tuesday to discuss the strengthening of Palestinian institutions and security bodies. Russia has long sought to increase its influence in the Middle East by getting involved in the peace process, and it looks like they have finally gotten their way. The follow up summit to the Annapolis peace conference is to be held in Moscow.

Quote: "The Quartet of Middle East peacemakers decided this week pursue the organization of a regional conference in Moscow in November. The Quartet - comprised of Russia, the United States, the UN and the European Union - reached the decision at a conference in Berlin on Tuesday meant to raise money for the Palestinian Authority. A Jerusalem source said Wednesday that the conference is to provide the stage either for the signing of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement or, in a much more likely scenario, a joint statement on the course of negotiations planned for 2009.

It will be interesting to see what emerges from this Russian peace summit. The prophecy of Ezekiel seems to indicate that the nation of Russia (Ezekiel 38:2), or at least former Soviet satellite states, will be drawn into a full-scale war with the nation of Israel. It is easy to see how this could come about in the not too distant future. As we have seen recently, Israel is making preparations for a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Russia stands to lose much from such a strike, having constructed Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility, provided them with anti-aircraft missiles to protect it, and recently entered into a massive billion dollar defence contract with the nation. If Iran gets hit, Russia could lose a lot of money. The Bible states that during a time of relative peace, the surrounding Arab nations will mount a surprise attack on the Jewish state. It seems that at first, Gog will move his forces to protect the Arab nations coming against Israel (Ezekiel 38:7). But as the Arab attack ensues, an evil thought enters into Gog's mind. Instead of acting to protect the Arab armies, he moves his armies against Israel to take a spoil for himself (Ezekiel 38:10-12). Perhaps the evil thought could be retribution for Iran, or more likely the idea of expanding his empire throughout the Middle East.

The Bible predicted these things would happen, over 2500 years ago. The Bible also predicted that this same Jesus, Who was crucified on a cross, laid in a garden tomb and raised again from the dead, would come back one day. Not as a suffering Servant, although He was that. But as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Do you know the Saviour? Have your sins been forgiven by the Man of Calvary? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Isaiah 52:13-15 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.